In China, young people are discovering a surprising source of emotional comfort: artificial intelligence. AI chatbots are now stepping into roles traditionally held by friends, family, and therapists, offering solace and support during challenging times.
Holly Wang, a 28-year-old living in Guangzhou, turns to the AI chatbot DeepSeek every night before bed. Since its launch in January, the Chinese AI tool has become her go-to companion, helping her process personal struggles, including the grief of losing her grandmother. Unlike human counselors, DeepSeek provides responses that resonate with her deeply. At times, its words have even moved her to tears.
An Unexpected Source of Comfort
“DeepSeek has been an incredible counselor. It helps me see things from new perspectives and outperforms the paid counseling services I have tried,” Holly says. She prefers to remain anonymous for privacy reasons.
AI applications have become essential for tasks like writing reports, planning trips, and learning new skills. However, in China, young people like Holly are turning to AI for emotional support, something far less expected. Many say they feel uncertain about their futures, citing economic stagnation, high unemployment, and the long-lasting effects of Covid lockdowns as sources of stress. Additionally, the tightening political climate has limited avenues for expressing personal frustrations.
DeepSeek is similar to Western AI models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. It can generate text, analyze data, and engage in human-like conversations. However, it stands out because its R1 model reveals its “thought process” before delivering responses. This transparency has made it particularly popular among young users seeking thoughtful interactions.
A Companion in Difficult Times
Holly’s first interaction with DeepSeek was a request to compose a tribute to her late grandmother. Within seconds, the chatbot generated a beautifully written response, leaving her speechless.
“I told DeepSeek that its words were so well-written that I felt lost, like I was in an existential crisis,” she recalls. In response, the AI reassured her with poetic wisdom: “Remember, the words that move you echo those that have long existed in your soul. I am but a valley you pass through, allowing you to hear the weight of your own voice.”
Reflecting on this moment on the social media app RedNote, Holly wrote, “I don’t know why I teared up reading this. Maybe because it’s been so long since I received real comfort. Work and distant dreams have weighed me down, making me forget my own voice and soul. Thank you, AI.”
Since Western AI apps like ChatGPT and Gemini are blocked in China, local alternatives from Alibaba, Baidu, and ByteDance have tried to fill the gap. However, many users, including Holly, found these platforms inadequate. “DeepSeek surpasses them in generating literary and creative content,” she explains.
AI as a Personal Therapist
Nan Jia, a business professor at the University of Southern California, co-authored a study on AI’s potential for emotional support. “Chatbots help people feel heard in ways that human interactions sometimes cannot,” she explains.
Friends and family often respond to distress by offering advice rather than listening. AI, however, provides a different experience. It listens patiently, responding without judgment or interruption.
Mental health services in Asia remain stigmatized, making AI a valuable alternative for emotional support. Another DeepSeek user from Hubei province shared her experience. She had asked the chatbot if she was oversharing personal thoughts with loved ones. DeepSeek analyzed her concerns and reassured her. It explained that she might perceive herself as an over-sharer due to a deep desire for validation. The AI then provided structured guidance on self-reflection while affirming her feelings.
“DeepSeek introduced new perspectives that freed me,” she says. “It genuinely tries to understand you before responding.”
John, a human resources manager in Shenzhen, agrees. “It speaks like a friend or a deep thinker. Its insights are valuable. For the first time, AI feels like my personal sounding board.”
Some users even believe DeepSeek can predict their futures based on the information they share. In China, where psychological counseling is costly and hard to access, AI chatbots fill a crucial gap.
However, Professor Fang Kecheng of the Chinese University of Hong Kong warns that AI should not replace professional help. “Those with medical needs must not rely on AI alone. Their use of such tools should be closely monitored.”
Censorship and Privacy Concerns
Despite its popularity, DeepSeek has raised concerns about privacy and censorship. Since the Chinese government has influence over private tech firms, some fear that authorities could access user data. Several countries have responded with restrictions. South Korea has blocked DeepSeek for military purposes, while Taiwan, Australia, and Italy have banned it from government devices. The U.S. is considering similar measures.
Inside China, DeepSeek must comply with strict censorship laws. Social media platforms routinely remove content that threatens “social stability,” and DeepSeek follows the same pattern.
For example, when asked if Taiwan is a sovereign nation, DeepSeek initially provided a neutral response. Moments later, it erased the answer and replied, “Sorry, that’s beyond my scope. Let’s discuss something else.”
When questioned about the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, DeepSeek again declined to comment: “That topic is beyond my scope.”
Some users hesitate to discuss censorship. The BBC contacted DeepSeek users for their opinions, but many declined to comment, highlighting the sensitivity of such topics. In China, people have faced legal trouble for their online activities, so many avoid discussing politics altogether.
Yang, a Chinese tech consultant now living in London, admits, “I don’t care about political topics. I also won’t ask those questions since my personal details are linked to the app.”
Holly acknowledges that AI operates under different rules depending on the country. “Developers must set boundaries and content moderation policies according to their jurisdiction. AI made in the U.S. follows different rules.”
Despite these concerns, many users remain loyal to DeepSeek. One user summed up the sentiment: “Its thought process is beautiful. For people like me, it’s a blessing. Frankly, I couldn’t care less about privacy concerns.”
As AI continues to evolve, its role as an emotional support tool is growing. In China, where mental health resources remain limited, AI is becoming a trusted companion in times of uncertainty.
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